Section 1: School meal uptake

Figure 1: Uptake of free school meals increased between 2022 and 2023 in all school sectors, following a long-term general decline

Percentage of pupils registered for free school meals and who were present on survey day taking free school meals, Scotland, 2017 to 2023

The percentage of pupils registered for free school meals and present on the survey day who took a free school meal (the meal uptake rate) increased in all sectors from 2022 to 2023, although no sectors reached their pre-pandemic level. The largest increase was seen in special schools (74% to 84%), with smaller increases in primary (68% to 72%) and secondary schools (60% to 61%). These increases over the most recent year mark a change to the long-term general decline in uptake rates for free meals. The overall uptake rate for free school meals across all sectors was 70% in 2023, up from 67% in 2022 but down from 85% in 2014.

Figure 2: Uptake of free school meals increased between 2022 and 2023 in the primary stages receiving universal provision of free school meals

Percentage of primary pupils registered for free school meals and who were present on survey day taking free school meals, Scotland, 2017 to 2023

In 2015 universal entitlement to free school meals was introduced for pupils in P1 to P3. This universal entitlement was extended to all pupils in P4 in August 2021 and then to all pupils in P5 in January 2022.

The free school meal uptake rate for pupils in these universal entitlement stages increased between 2022 and 2023 (from 68% to 72%) while the uptake rate for those in means tested stages also increased but to a lesser degree (66% to 67%). As in 2022, the uptake rate for universal entitlement stages was higher than the uptake rate for means-tested stages. This is in contrast to the pre-pandemic years where the means-tested stages had a higher uptake rate. The reason for this likely to be linked, at least in part, to the extension of universal entitlement over this period.

Figure 3: Uptake of school meals (free and paid for) increased from 2022 to 2023 in all school sectors, with uptake in primary and special schools higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2020

Percentage of pupils present on survey day taking school meals (free and paid for), Scotland, 2017 to 2023

The uptake rate for all school meals (both free and paid for) increased in all sectors from 2022 to 2023. The largest increase (64% to 81%) was seen in special schools. The uptake rate in primary and special schools now exceeds the pre-pandemic levels. For all sectors, the increase in uptake rate for all school meals between 2022 and 2023 was predominantly driven by an increase in the uptake rate for paid meals.

Figure 4: Uptake of school meals is highest among pupils with universal entitlement to free meals (P1-P5 and Special Schools) compared to where free meal provision is means-tested (P6-P7 and Secondary Schools)

Percentage of pupils present on survey day taking school meals, Scotland, February 2023

Uptake for all school meals (free and paid for) is highest among pupils with universal entitlement to free school meals (P1-P5 72%; Special schools 81%) and lowest among pupils where access to free meals is means-tested (P6-P7 42%; Secondary schools 39%).

Figure 5a: The number of free school meals taken in 2023 was the highest on record (since 2006) but the total number of meals (free and paid for) taken remains below pre-2022 levels, following a long-term decline in paid-for meals

Number of pupils taking school meals (free and all meals) on survey day by sector, Scotland, 2017 to 2023

Figure 5b: Uptake rate of school meals (free and paid for) increased in all sectors from 2022 to 2023

Percentage of pupils present on survey day taking school meals (free and all meals), Scotland, 2017 to 2023

Figure 6a: The number of free school meals taken by primary school pupils was the highest on record with increases in both means-tested and universal free meals in 2023. The total number of all meals (free and paid for) taken also increased but not to record levels

Primary pupils taking school meals (free and all meals) by universal or means-tested free school meal provision stages [note 1], 2017 to 2023

Note 1: In 2015 universal entitlement to free school meals was introduced for pupils in P1 to P3. This universal entitlement was extended to all pupils in P4 in August 2021 and then to all pupils in P5 in January 2022.

Figure 6b: Uptake rates of free and paid for meals among primary pupils increased from 2022 to 2023

Percentage of primary pupils present on survey day taking school meals (free or paid for) by universal or means-tested free school meal provision stages [note 1], Scotland, 2017 to 2023

Note 1: In 2015 universal entitlement to free school meals was introduced for pupils in P1 to P3. This universal entitlement was extended to all pupils in P4 in August 2021 and then to all pupils in P5 in January 2022.